Railcard Photo: Requirements [+ Examples]

Railcard photo guidelines

Looking for a guide to the requirements your Railcard photograph needs to meet? Then, look no further! 

With the wide range of Railcards available, you are guaranteed to find one that suits you! All you need to do is submit an online application, attaching a passport-style photo. However, the rail services will reject photos that don’t meet their specifications, requiring you to repeat the application process. To avoid wasting time and money, make sure you read our guide and FAQs, which demystify the Railcard photo rules, allowing you to make more suitable images first time.

Railcard photo requirements

The easiest way to order your new Railcard, or to renew one that has expired, is to buy online. You will need the following documents:

• a current UK passport or driving licence, which verifies your identity
• a digital passport-style photo
• a debit or credit card

You will receive guidance online on how to upload a suitable image for your Railcard.

Your Railcard photograph must meet certain requirements regarding size, composition, colours and background. You can have it taken in a professional photo studio, but we offer a way that takes less time and is cheaper: Passport Photo Online’s Railcard photo tool. All you need to do is to take a suitable image, with our guidance, and we will adjust the background, crop and resize the photograph and, finally, ensure it meets all the specifications. 

Digital Railcard UK photo size

Whether you need a 26-30 Railcard photo, 16-25 Railcard photo or a photo for any other form of Railcard, the requirements are the same in terms of size and other key details.

If you intend to buy online, you must provide a digital picture, meeting the following Railcard photo resolution and size requirements:

• 600 x 750 pixels 
• Between 50KB and 10MB in size

When applying for a Railcard at a staffed station ticket office, it's important to bring a 45 x 35mm biometric photograph that meets the same requirements as those needed for a passport or driving licence photo. This ensures that your Railcard photo is suitable for official use and meets all the necessary specifications.

Railcard photograph rules

A suitable image, digital or paper, must:

• show your full head and upper shoulders
• be taken against a light-coloured (preferably white, cream or grey) background
• be clear and in focus
• represent the natural colour of your skin and eyes

Whilst the rail services prefer colour pictures, they will accept black and white images.

Compositional rules for a Railcard photo

The image of your head - measured from your chin to your crown - must be sized between 29 mm and 34 mm in height. You must be facing forwards, looking straight at the camera lens. Your head must not be tilted.

Lighting and background for a Railcard photo

Dark coloured backgrounds are not acceptable. It must be a neutral colour: such as white, cream or light grey. If you are unable to find a suitable background for your picture, don’t panic. Simply use our online photo editor, which can remove the wrong background and change it into a more suitable one.

Remember that the light on your face must be even, with no shadows, either on your face or behind your head. Ideally, you should use natural light.

Face expression in the Railcard photo

Keep a neutral expression, with a closed mouth, and ensure your eyes are open. Look straight at the camera. The rail services will allow makeup, but will not accept images that have been doctored through Photoshop or similar.

Eyeglasses in the Railcard photo

You are not allowed to wear tinted glasses, e.g. sunglasses while taking your Railcard photo. You are allowed to wear prescription glasses if you need to, but your eyes must be visible. The authorities will automatically reject photos with glare or reflections. If you wear glasses, the frames cannot be too large, in case they cover or obscure your eyes.

Hairstyle and head coverings in your Railcard photo

You can keep your normal hairstyle, as long as your hair doesn’t cover your face, particularly your eyes. Do not wear any form of head covering, unless it is for religious or medical reasons.

Rules for Railcard printed photos

If you plan to print your own Railcard photograph, you must ensure it is printed to a high standard, on plain, white, borderless photo paper. It shouldn’t be retouched by software such as Photoshop, but you can adjust it with a railcard photo tool.